14 DAY TRIAL // A woman from Florida is facing consequences after taking this, and several other pictures of herself “joyriding” on the back of a manatee, over a month ago.
Police released the picture, and Ana Gloria Garcia Gutierrez turned herself in. Believe it or not, riding a manatee in Florida is not only frowned upon, it is actually illegal. She was charged with a second degree misdemeanor under the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act.
“It is unlawful for any person at any time, by any means, or in any manner intentionally or negligently to annoy, molest, harass, or disturb or attempt to molest, harass, or disturb any Manatee,” the unusual piece of legislation reads, according to ABC News.
If she had been witnessed by a police official in the act of riding on the animal, she would have been arrested, and wouldn't have gotten off with a misdemeanor.
It seems to me that turning herself in was a sign of good will from the 52-year-old resident of Pinellas County.
“[Gutierrez explained] she is new to the area and did not realize it was against the law to touch or harass manatees,” a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office says.